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Government of Canada Invests Nearly $700,000 to Further Agricultural Innovation in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2008) - The Government of Canada is investing $665,551 in four innovative projects that will allow farmers to take advantage of new and innovative market opportunities. Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

"The Government firmly believes that continued investments in research are critical to this sector's long-term success," said Mr. Trost. "Projects like these are key to opening up new doors for the agricultural industry in Saskatchewan and across the country."

These four projects, funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program, will support research in bioproducts, new food product development, feedlot sorting, and animal health.

"The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) is proud to deliver ACAAF on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada," said ACS Vice-Chair Valerie Pearson."These projects will have a tremendous impact on the agriculture and agri-food sector both in Saskatchewan and across Canada. From increasing the safety of Canada's food supply to providing innovations in processing, ACAAF funded projects such as these will bring benefits that reach from the producer to the end consumer."

BACKGROUNDER

Saskatchewan ACAAF Projects

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program is a five-year $240 million initiative to assist and encourage the agriculture and food industry to work cooperatively in finding constructive solutions that respond to current and emerging issues.

ACAAF is about enabling regions, provinces and territories to have the opportunity to translate their good ideas into new opportunities that benefit the entire agricultural industry. Three of today's projects are being funded through the industry-led Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS), which is responsible for delivering ACAAF in their province including:

- The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization is benefiting from $134,689 to develop an improved vaccination method for cattle ($110,715 from Saskatchewan,$7,542 from B.C., and $16,432 from Manitoba).

Through initiatives like ACAAF, the Government of Canada encourages the agriculture industry to explore new opportunities and innovative ideas that lead to an improved economy.